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Urlacher suits up with Angels

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"It was so cool to be out there," said Brian Urlacher.

By Alden Gonzalez
/
MLB.com |

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher put on a full Angels uniform, sat down for manager Mike Scioscia's pregame meeting, stretched with the team along the right-field line, shagged fly balls and then took part in some batting practice prior to Friday's game against the Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

His first impression: "Man, these guys are good."

"Especially Mike Trout," the potential Pro Football Hall of Famer said of the 22-year-old phenom. "He's the best player in baseball, in my opinion. He does everything. He hits, he runs, he steals -- does everything. To meet a young guy like that was cool for me.

"He's like a little brick. Athletically, I have no doubt he can play [football]. Athletically, he's got it all."

Trout was the one who was all psyched up to meet Urlacher, who spends the winter in nearby Chandler, has a history with athletic trainer Rick Smith, works out at the same facility as second baseman Howie Kendrick and also knows reliever Kevin Jepsen.

Trout was certain that the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Urlacher would crank one out in batting practice, but he hasn't played baseball since he was about 13 years old, and he hardly came close.

"I hit the ball more than I missed, which was good," said Urlacher, who now serves as an analyst for FOX Sports 1. "I wanted to take one out, but I think I got to the warning track one time. It's amazing how much those bats vibrate -- I guess if you're hitting the ball on the wrong spot of the bat, it's going to happen. But it was awesome, man. It was so cool to be out there."